Apparatus for handling thread or the like



Feb 6, 1940- w. F. KNEBUs-CH ET AL 2,188,905

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING THREAD OR THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 18, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS WALTER F. KNEBUSCH 8c g5' ALDEN H.BURKHOLDER 8 ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1940. w. F. KNEBuscH ET A| 2,188,905

`APPARATUSv FOR HANDLING THREAD OR THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 18, l1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 e liui". I lwlllllhl". l'

i nlo o INVENTORS WALTER F. KNEBUSCH 8x ALDE N H. BURKHOLDER fy- Z awww@ A TTORNEY Feb- 6,' 1940- w. F. KNl-:BuscH ET A1. 21,188,905

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING THREAD OR THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 18, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TORS WALTER FKNEBUSCH &

ALDN H. BURKHOLDER M/@wm ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1940 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR THE HANDLING THREAD 0R LIKE Walter F. Knebusch and Alden H. Burkholder, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Original application February 18, 1935,)Serial No.

7,114. Divided and this application March 2,

1936, Serial No. 66,596

6 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for handling thread or the like and, more particularly, to the drive mechanism for such apparatus.

The present application is a division of prior application Serial No. 7,114, lled February 18, 1935, by Walter F. Knebusch and Alden H. Burkholder, in which is shown, described and broadly claimed a form of apparatus for the continuous processing of thread or the like, hereinafter referred to as thread. `On such apparatus, the thread, such as artificial silk threadfmanufactured by the viscose process, is continuously but temporarily stored on eachA of a plurality of rotatable thread-advancing devices, which preferably take the form of thread-storage, thread-advancing reels, disposed in vertically stepped arrangement. Processing treatmenty is applied. to the. thread on each of said reels, after which the` thread is collected by suitable apparatus. The mechanism for driving the apparatus of said prior fapplication, which mechanism is not specifically claimed in said application, constitutes the subject matter of the present application.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, Figurel isan end elevation of acomplete K thread processing machine of the kind described in said prior application, the means for lapplying processing medium to the thread on the reels being omitted and other parts being broken away for the sake of clearness. Figure 2 is an end elevation, corresponding to Figure 1 but on a larger scale, of a portion of the'machine with parts broken away more clearly to show the drive mechanism and reels driven thereby. Figure 3 is an elevation on the same scale as Figure 2 of one`operating face of the machine, corresponding to the operating face onv the right of Figure 1, parts being brokenV away more clearly to show the drive mechanism. Figure 4 is a detail sectional elevation on .a llarger scale on approximately line 4 4, Figures 3 and 5, through one of the thread-storage, thread-advancing reels and its adjacent driving mechanism. Figure 5 is a detail plan, on a slightly7 smaller scale than Figure 4, illustrating several of the reels and associated apparatus shown in Figure 4, the cover of the gear housing being omitted. Figure 6 is an end elevation of the reel of Figure 4 on the same scale and from the left end thereof. In the draW- ings, like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout.

While the apparatus described is capable of use in or in connection with the processing of any thread, for convenience it will be illustrated hereinafter` as applied to the manufacture by a continuous process of multiple filament viscose articial silk thread.

In the apparatus shown in Figure 1, the thread progressed along a thread-storage, thread-advancing reel of cantilever form, designated 5, from which it passesv to any suitable number of other like reels 5w to 5i upon which are performed any desired processing steps. The thread is led from the last reel 5i through a suitable guide to a collecting device such as cap-twister 'I'. The production of each multiple filament thread requiresl a .complete seriesof such thread-storage, threadadvancing reels in numbers suilicient to enable the desired processing steps to be performed on the thread. I-Iowever, as is usual in this art, a given machine may be built to provide for the simultaneous production of a multiplicity of such threads; so that each machine may include a plurality of such series arranged in such manner as to enable the parts thereof to be conveniently accessible for inspection, manipulation, or control,

as Well as to enable the plurality of such series to be driven fromthe same power source.

In the instant machine, the reels are shown as -arranged in a plurality of descending series, on

each of which the thread is subjected to the de-l sired processing treatments". Since the reels shown are of cantilever form; i. e., supported and driven from one end'only, and since the thread is, by the action of the reels, advanced axially thereof, they may be positioned, as shown, in

vstepped arrangement with the receiving end of eachv reel immediately below the discharge end of the next preceding reel. 'Ihe unsupported ends of the reels, constituting the discharge ends, are presented to the operator. This arrangement provides advantages in constructin of the processing apparatus as weil as advantages in permitting access to the reels for manipulation of the thread, inspection, repairs, etc.

, yFurthermore, it has been found desirable to l This disposition of the reels in a plurality of longitudinal series results in simpliiication of the construction of the processing medium supply and removal systems as well as advantages in driving the reels, as willk be hereinafterfexplained more in detail in connection with the drive mechanism provided by the present invention. Therefore it can be seen that the reels in one operating face of the machine may be disposed, with their axes substantially horizontal,

in a plurality of series in a bank inclined as a whole from the vertical. Furthermore, the machine, may, as shown in Figure l, be double-sided, having an inclined bank on each side of the machine.

The machine shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, comprises a suitable frame including lower and upper platforms 8, 9, carried by crossbeams II supported from corner posts I2, the platforms 8, 9 being connected by diagonal uprights I3, I4. The drive mechanism for the reels in the illustratedl apparatus has as a source of power a drive motor I8 which is mounted at one end of the machine, as in Figure 3, the shaft of which motor actuates a suitable speed reducing device I9 operating a cross shaft 20 provided at its opposite ends with bevel gears 2I driving bevel gears 22 on diagonal shafts 23, of which one may be provided on the left side and one on the right side of the machine, as shown in Figure 1. Diagonal shafts 23, which for convenience may be termed the main drive shafts, are providedat various levels with take-off drives for the reels 5a to 51', inclusive,

and the driving connections to the several reels may, if desired, include any suitable form of change speed mechanism. For convenience the shafts 23 and the drive connections therefrom to the several reels may be located at one end of the machine as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

As the drive connection from either main drive shaft 23 to each of its corresponding reels 5a to 5i is the same, description of one will suffice for all. Thus, for the drive to each of the reels 5a to 5i, main drive shaft 23 is provided with a spiral gear 60 driving a spiral gear 6I (Figure 2) on a short horizontal shaft 62 parallel to the front of the machine, as shown in Figure 3. Shaft 62 is provided with ai gear 63 which drives a gear 64 on a shaft 4I mounted on a slotted bracket 66, pivoted to turn about a shaft 61 and held in any adjusted position by a cap-screw 44 passing into the frame of the machine through a curved slot in said bracket. Shaft 4I also carries a gear 65, adapted to rotate with gear 64, and meshing with a gear 68 mounted for rotation with shaft 61. Shaft 61 which may for convenience be termed the intermediate drive shaft extends horizontally and longitudinally along the operating face of the machine and is provided with suitable driving means for the corresponding horizontal or longitudinal series of reels disposed along the shaft.

The means for driving each reel from the intermediate drive shaft 61 is shown to better advantage in Figures 4 and 5. As shown, the driving means may be enclosed in a longitudinally extendinghousing 16, which may also serve as a lubricant reservoir for the parts therein, and which may be provided with a removable cover 11, with a series of internal bearing bosses 18 on one of its walls and opposite to them, a series of external bearing bosses 19 on the opposite wall. Cover 11 is provided on its inner surface with a depending portion 11a having inclined sides and faces adapted to direct downwardly upon the gear 1I any lubricant splashed in the housing. Intermediate drive shaft 61 extends longitudinally of the housing, its outwardly projecting ends being connected by couplings 15 to like ends of neighboring shaft sections. The shafts 12 for the reels are journalled in the bearing bosses before referred to, and extend across the housing 16 and shaft 61. In the illustrated apparatus, each shaft 12 projects from one of the longitudinal walls of the housing 18 and drives a reel from its projecting end.

In the apparatus shown, each reel in the horizontal series is mounted on one face of the housing 16 and is driven from intermediate drive shaft 5 61 by a spiral gear 10 mounted thereon and engaging a spiral gear 1I rotatably mounted on reel drive shaft 12. Spiral gear 1I is provided with a clutch member 13a cooperating with a clutch member 13b splined to the shaft 12 and 10 having a grooved collar 52 in the groove of which is disposed the fork 53 of a rod 54 connected to one `arm of a controlling bell crank lever 14. Figure 4 shows the clutch members 13a, 13b in engagement, so that shaft12 may be rotated. BY 15 turning the bell crank lever 14 clockwise in Figure 4, the clutch members 13a, 13b may be disengaged to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel. Each reel, may, as shown, be provided with its individual clutch, and the levers 14 for all 20 of the reels may be individually operated. Howl ever, for convenience, the levers 14 for reels 5aA to 5i of a vertical series may be connected by a bar |35 having an operating handle |36 at a convenient point so that all of the reels in one 25 vertical series may be started and stopped simultaneously.

For the foregoing and other reasons, the drive l -A mechanism herein described provides in operation an unusually high degree of flexibility. For 30' instance, in addition tothe above mentioned provision for stopping all the reels in a given vertical series, any horizontal series of reels may be disconnected from the primary drive shaft byv loosening cap-screw 44 and swinging bracket 66 35 to the right in Figure 2 thus disengaging the driving gearing. By substituting a gear of a different sizefor any one or more of the gears 63,

64, 65, 68, any desired speed ratio may be established between any of the shafts 23 and shaft 1U 61. The speeds of the reels in avertical processing series with respect to the main drive shaft 23 and with respect to each other may thus be varied as desired. This is particularly advantageous when it is desired to providedifferent peripheral i5 speeds between an earlier reel and a later reel for the purpose, for example, of stretching o'f the thread.

The rotatable thread-advancing devices of the instant apparatus may take the form of a thread- 50 the reel in the proper direction to cause the turns 60 of thread to travel from its driven end to its unsupported end, the task of transferring the thread from reel to reel is materially simplied due to the absence of a shaft extension and consequent ease of manipulation of the thread by 65 the operator.

'I'he typical form of reel shown in these gures includes two rigid, generally cylindrical members respectively designated and 8|. Member may be termed the concentric member because 70 it `is concentric with, xed to, and rotates with the reel drive shaft 12. Member 80 includes a body portion of generally cylindrical form with its periphery slotted to form a series of alternating bars 82 and recesses 83, the body portion be- 75 The reel shown is, however, of canti- 55 ing mounted upon a sleeve 0l keyed to the shaft 12 and held in place thereon by a nut 85 threaded upon the end of said shaft. The other member 8| of the reel may be called the eccentric member, because while it is generally of cylindrical form it is mounted with its axis laterally offset slightly from and disposed inclined to the axis of the shaft 12. The member 8| as shown comprises ahead formed of inner and outer rings 81, 88, the former of which has peripheral slots to receive the bars 80.- The bars are clamped between the rings 81, 88, which are held together by screws 8|a. Inner ring 81 is mounted on a sleeve 90 journalled to rotate upon a supporting member `9| which surrounds shaft 12 and is spaced ltherefrom. Means are provided for'supporting member 8| with its axis slightly offset laterally from and inclined with relation tothe axis of shaft 12.

Rotation of the drive shaft 12 causes concentric member 80 fixed thereto to rotate, whereupon contact of bar members 82 of concentric mem` ber 80 with bar members 89 of eccentric member 8| causes said eccentric member to rotate. The thread is thus caused to wind on the reel, the degree of the inclined relation determining the lead or pitch of the turns of vthread wound in generally helical form upon the reel and Aprogressively advanced along it. With a reel of this general type' any desired length of thread within reasonable limits may thus be temporarily continuously stored in a plurality of advancing turns.

Reels of the form shown lin Figures 4 and 6 may be employed for the of the reels 5 to 5h inclusive, Figure 1, since it maybe desirable to apply wet processing treatments to the thread while stored on certain of these reels. However, it may be desired to dry the thread on the reel 5i before it is collected, as by cap-twister 1, in which case the reel 5i, while of the same general type and operating in the same general manner as the others,may be adapted to supply drying medium to the thread stored on the reel from the interior of the reel, as described in detail in said prior application Serial No. 7,114. As hereinafter'explained, means are provided for subjecting the thread onone or more of the reels 5a to 5h. to

suitable wet processing operations; to wit, means y disposed above each of said reels for supplying to said reel a spray orseries of small streams of processing liquid, troughs for `collecting said processing liquid as it drains from the reel, and

55 lseen that each trough |08 may be suitably apparatus for recirculating the liquid or conducting it to the sewer.

By reference to Figures 2, 3 and 5, it can be formed to collect the liquid and prevent splashing thereof, and may be provided with a reentrant portion ||8 below each reel to allow the transfer of the thread from reel to reel. Because of the arrangement of the reels in the machine in a plurality of horizontal' or longitudinally ex-` t is to-be discarded, or, as in the case of liquids which it, isfcesired to re-use, with mutable re- Y,

`a plurality of intermediate drive shafts each of circulating and make-up systems, from which it is passed to the corresponding supply conduit.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 for other details of the' apparatus shown, the collecting device comprises a cap-twister 1 of substantially 5 standard form. EachY vertical series of reels disposed in processing sequence is provided-with one of said twisters, a plurality thereof being driven by the same power source. A's illustrated, the machine is provided with a long drum H9 con- 10 nected by belts |20 to the whirls of the captwisters, belts |20 having belt tighteners |20a, Drum ||9 is driven by a belt |2| actuated from the drive shaft of the speed reducing mechanism I9 which is driven by motor i8. 15

For reciprocating the cap-twisters a speed reducing device |22 is provided driven by a belt |23 from a pulley on shaft 20. The shaft |24 of such speed reducing device is provided with a cam |25 actuating a lever |26 pivoted on the frame at the 20 point |21 and connected by tension members |28V to cap-twister lifting rods |29, slidable vertically in frame guides |30 and connected by bars |3| which carry the whirls of the cap-twisters,'the vertically moving parts being partly countery-25 balanced by weights |32. The function of drums ||9 and cams |25 is to rapidly rotate and vertically reciprocate the spindles of the several captwisters, so that the thread is twisted and wound in the usual form upon the spool or bobbin.

It is apparent from the'above description and from the drawings that in the apparatus illustrated as embodying the invention lthe parts handling the threads in both banks are driven in 1 timed relation, which makes for uniformity of 3" all threads produced on the machine. Moreover, it is apparent that in the illustrated apparatus the driving mechanism is of such a nature that the interior of the apparatus is substantially unobstructed, permitting ready access by the oper- 40 ators to all parts of the apparatus even though it may be of, substantial size. This is extremely advantageous'for adjustment, replacement and other maintenance purposes.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the driving mechanism herein described without departing from the spirit of lthe invention. The invention is not restricted to the driving of thread-storage, thread-advancing devices of the form shown, but may be applied to the driving of various other devices. In the appended claims, the term thread includes, besides thread per se, materials other than threadl capable of being handled by apparatus of the kind shown and described. l

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, what ever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is: l j

1. Apparatus for [handling thread comprising two oppositely inclined banks of parallel, substantially horizontal drive shafts, the drive shafts of series each of which handles a single thread;

which is disposed transversely of and adapted to operate a plurality of said drive shafts; a plurality of main'drive shafts, at least one for eachl .of said banks, disposedv 'transversely of and 75 adapted to operate said intermediate drive shafts; and, disposed between said banks, common drive means for said main drive shafts so arranged that the space between said banks is largely unobstructed. v f

2. Apparatus for handling thread comprising two upwardly extending banks of parallel drive shafts, the drive shafts of each of said banks extending in a direction generally opposite to that of the drive shafts of the other bank; threadstorage, thread-advancing'devices associated with the drive shafts of each of said banks, said thread-storage, thread-advancing devices being arranged in a plurality of series each of which handles a single thread; aplurality of intermediate drive shafts each of which is disposed transversely of and adapted to operate a plurality of said drive shafts; a plurality of main drive shafts, at least one for each of said banks, disposed transversely of and adapted to operate said intermediate drive shafts; and, disposed between said banks, common drive means for said main drive shafts so arranged that the space between said banks is largely unobstructed.

3. Apparatus for handling thread comprising two laterally extending banks of parallel drive shafts, the drive shafts of each of said banks extending obliquely to the plane of the bank as a whole in a direction generally opposite to that of the drive shafts of the other band; thread-stor-4 age, thread-advancing devices associated with the drive shafts of each of said banks, said thread-storage, thread-advancing devices being arranged in a plurality of series each of which handles a single thread; a plurality of intermediate drive shafts each of which is disposed transversely of and adapted to operate a plurality of. said drive shafts; a plurality of main drive shafts, at least one for each of said banks, disposed transversely of and adapted to operate the intermediate drive shafts of such bank; and, disposed between said banks, common drive means for. said main drive shafts so arranged that the space between said banks is largely unobstructed.

4. Apparatus for handling thread comprising two upwardly extending banks of parallel drive shafts, the drive shafts of each of said banks extending in a direction generally opposite to that of the drive shafts of the other bank; threadstorage, thread-advancing devices driven by the drive shafts of each of said banks, said threadstorage, thread-advancing devices being arranged in a plurality of series each of which handles a single thread; a plurality of intermediate drive shafts each of which`is disposed transversely of and operatively connected to a plurality of said drive shafts, each of said intermediate drive shafts being substantially parallel to the plane of the bank with which it is associated; a plurality of main drive shafts, at least one for each of said banks, disposed transversely of and operatively connected to said intermediate drive shafts; and common drive means for said main drive shafts. the arrangement of said common drive means, drive shafts, intermediatev drive shafts and main drive shafts providing a substantially unobstructed space between said banks.

5. Apparatus for handling thread comprising two oppositely inclined banks of parallel, substantially horizontal drive shafts, the drive shafts of each of said banks extending in a direction generally opposite to that of the drive shafts of the other bank; thread-storage, thread-advancing devices driven by the drive shafts of each of said banks, said thread-storage, thread-advancing devices being arranged in a plurality of series each of which handles a single thread; a plurality of intermediate drive shafts each of which is disposed transversely of and operatively connected to a plurality of said drive shafts, each of said intermediate drive shafts being substantially parallel to the plane of said bank with which it is associated; a plurality of main drive shafts, at least one for each of said banks, disposed transversely of and operatively connected to said intermediate drive shafts; and common drive means for said main drive shafts, the arrangement of said common drive means, drive shafts, intermediate drive shafts and main drive shafts providing a substantially unobstructed space between said banks.

6. Apparatus for handling thread comprising two laterally extending banks of parallel drive shafts, the drive shafts of each 'of said banks extending obliquely to the plane of said bank as a whole in a direction generally opposite to that of the drive shafts of the other bank; threadstorage, thread-advancing devices driven by said drive shafts, said thread-storage, thread-advancing devices being arranged in a plurality of series each of which handles a single thread; a plurality of intermediate drive shafts each of which is disposed transversely of and operatively connected to a plurality of said drive shafts, each of said intermediate drive shafts being substantially parallel to the plane of the bank with which it is associated; a plurality of main 'drive shafts,

at least one for each bank, disposed transversely 

